always behind
close up, ridden to challenge and hung left over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong
in mid-division when hampered on rail halfway, soon lost place
in touch, stayed on under pressure final furlong
reared start, held up in rear, moderate headway final furlong
chased leaders over 4f
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
never nearer than mid-division
held up in rear, good headway on outside over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders for 6f
chased leader until weakened 2f out
behind most of way
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
Modest fayre, but from a shortlist of Buthaina, Devious Ayers, Savernake Brave, Zinging and, maybe, Bold Phoenix, we will side with Buthaina. Buthaina gets the nod because she appeared to put in an improved effort over course and distance last time. If she builds on that, from her good draw she should play a part in today's proceedings. Devious Ayers gets a mention because his finest hour, some might say his only one, came here earlier in the year although, overall, he remains an enigma. That said, the cheekpieces he wore to victory are back on today. Fair Option was behind him when they met at Leicester in August, although that seemed an improved effort from the latter. Savernake Brave would hold a big chance on form of a year ago, even though he has been disappointing of late, while Zinging has shown on more than one occasion that he can go well here and has to be on the shortlist. Finally, the Barney Curley-trained Bold Phoenix, who is blinkered for the first time today, holds claims based on his soft-ground Leicester second in May, although he has not been seen since. Once again, though, the vote goes to Buthaina.
Amethyst Rock 25-1 (8-13) Soon outpaced, last of 16, 41l behind Arran (9-11) at Southwell 1m hcp (F) fbs in Jul '04.
Bold Phoenix (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, 10th of 14, 12l behind Camille Pissarro (9-2) at Southwell 7f stk (7) fbs in May.
Buthaina (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Keen hold in mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on, 4th of 13, 5l behind Doringo (9-8) at Brighton 1m app hcp (6) frm in Aug.
Savernake Brave (IRE) 22-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, never a factor, 14th of 18, 14l behind Night Storm (9-3) at Brighton 7f hcp (6) gd in Aug.
Sennen Cove 14-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, 4th of 18, 2l behind Frenchmans Lodge (9-0) at Leicester 6f stk (7) gd in Aug.
Vlasta Weiner 5-1fav (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 18, 16l behind Frenchmans Lodge (9-0) at Leicester 6f stk (7) gd in Aug.
Zinging 16-1 (8-10) Chased leaders until weakened under pressure over 3f out, last of 12, 25l behind Coronado Forest (8-13) at Lingfield 1m stk (7) pol in Sept.
Pretty Woman (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Slowly away, always behind, 11th of 12, 14l behind Coronado Forest (8-13) at Lingfield 1m stk (7) pol in Sept.
